WWE SmackDown Live Results and Updates- 8 January 2019
Hello and welcome to Live updates of the WWE SmackDown episode of 8th January 2019. Below are the incidents, promos, and matches that happened at SmackDown this week (in order) :
Daniel Bryan, R Truth and AJ Styles
Daniel Bryan kicked off SmackDown. We saw him backstage at the entrance lobby of the arena, berating fans for their consumerism. He ends up throwing a hot dog at one fan and a soda at another fan. Then he walked through the crowd toward the ring while continuing to insult the fans. R-Truth came and ambushed Bryan, leading to a match between them.
Daniel Bryan vs R-Truth
Truth took down Bryan with a hip toss. Bryan did a backflip in the corner but Truth ducked his clothesline and hits a heel kick. Bryan took control, kicking and punching Truth. He hit a running dropkick in the corner twice, but Truth hit a flying forearm to counter the third. Bryan got up and hit the running knee for the pin and the win.
Winner – Daniel Bryan by pinfall
AJ Styles ambushed Bryan on his way back up the ramp, leading Bryan to run to the back as security held AJ back.
Andrade “Cien” Almas & Samoa Joe vs Mustafa Ali & Rey Mysterio – Tag Team Match
Joe and Ali locked. Joe used his strength to fend Ali’s moves multiple times. Rey and Almas hit a double dropkick on Joe before Almas tagged in. Andrade grabbed Rey in a hammerlock but Rey countered and hit a couple of high-flying moves. Almas hit a spinning elbow on Rey and Joe also hit a barrage of punches in the corner. Rey drove Andrade’s face into the mat before bringing Ali back in to hit a hurricanrana.
Ali then hit a rolling X-factor and a DDT on Almas. Joe caught Ali when he attempted a summersault over the top rope and hit a fallaway slam onto the announce table. Later, Rey hit Samoa Joe with a few kicks and a springboard seated senton. Mysterio then hit a Canadian Destroyer on Almas for a two count that was broken up by Joe. Ali and Rey take out Joe with a 619 and 450. Almas countered the 619 and hit a gutbuster and the Hammerlock DDT for the pin and the win.
Winner- Andrade “Cien” Almas and Samoa Joe by pinfall
Rusev confronts Nakamura
Back in the ring, Rusev apologized to Lana, was resting at home before calling Nakamura out to meet him in the ring. But Nakamura appeared on the big screen from the production truck and showed a clip of last week’s incident. He accused Rusev of hurting his own wife. Rusev ran backstage where Nakamura attacked him and laid him out.
The Bar vs The Usos (Usos to get a title shot if they win)
The fast-paced and hard-hitting match brought out the best from both teams as they did whatever they could to leave with the win. The Bar took control at one point early on after Cesaro hit Jey Uso with a cheap shot from the apron. Sheamus took total control at one point. Uso replied with a boot to the face before finally making the tag.
Jimmy Uso came in and picked up the pace, taking Cesaro down with a Samoan Drop and a Crossbody splash. Just as it looked like The Usos would win this, Mandy Rose came out in a towel to distract Jimmy. Cesaro hit a distracted Jimmy Uso with the Neutralizer for the win.
Winner- The Bar by pinfall
After the match ended, The Miz came out and went on to put out a challenge for The Bar for the SmackDown Tag Team title match at Royal Rumble. Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Miz and accepted the challenge.
Backstage, Naomi attacked Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville but they overpowered Naomi before Jimmy came in to break the fight.
Carmella vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch – No. 1 Contender Match for SmackDown Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble
Becky and Charlotte punched each other and Carmella took them both out from behind. Lynch sent both women out of the ring, then she took down Carmella with a forearm from the apron and Charlotte with a clothesline.
Carmella pulled Becky as she tried to suplex Flair from the top turnbuckle. Then Carmella took down Flair with a headscissor for 2 counts. Carmella hit Lynch with a suicide dive on the floor. Both Carmella and Lynch avoid a
Flair and Mella traded slaps before Flair locked her in a Figure-eight. Lynch broke it with a leg drop and locked Flair in DisArmHer. Carmella broke it with a kick and then avoided a spear from Flair which ultimately hit Becky. Mella nailed Charlotte with a superkick and Becky rolled Carmella into the DisArmHer and got the submission victory to earn a shot at Asuka’s title at The Royal Rumble.
Winner- Becky Lynch by submission
Asuka came out with her title after the match. Becky stared at her as she held up the belt in Becky’s face and they exchanged heated words. The show ended with both women refusing to back down.